Summary:
The city of Church Creek, Maryland is home to a single standout elementary school, South Dorchester School, which serves grades PK-8 and has a total enrollment of 225 students. Despite being part of the Dorchester County Public Schools district, which is ranked 18 out of 25 districts in Maryland, South Dorchester School consistently outperforms the district and state averages on academic assessments.
South Dorchester School is a high-performing institution, with 76.8% of its students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 45% proficient or better in Mathematics on the most recent MCAP assessments. The school has been ranked in the top 35% of Maryland elementary schools for the past 3 years, reaching a high ranking of 159 out of 859 schools in 2023-2024. However, the school's student population is predominantly White (86.67%), which is significantly higher than the state average, raising questions about the school's ability to serve a more diverse student body.
Despite the school's academic success, 100% of South Dorchester students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-need student population. The school's relatively high per-student spending of $16,407 suggests that it has access to significant financial resources, which may contribute to its academic performance. Further investigation into the school's practices, resources, and community engagement could provide valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to replicate its success in other high-need areas.
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